Tuesday, May 31, 2016

We had decided that we weren't taking a beach vacation this summer. Scott's schedule really wasn't going to allow us to take one. PLUS, with Scott attending two vascular surgery conferences this summer, then Henry being born {and me being on maternity leave}, and then with fellowship interviews all over the country, we decided it probably didn't make too much financial sense anyway. Smarter to stay at home.

But then, one afternoon, I just said "Nope! This family NEEDS a vacation!"

I felt very strongly that we needed to get away, just the four of us, and invest in each other. Laugh with each other. Pour time and love and attention into each other. It's so difficult in residency to really plug into your family, and I felt that it was time to put my metaphorical heel down and say enough is enough.

So, in about two days, we planned and booked a beach vacation!

We stayed at the Omni Resort in Hilton Head. HEAVEN. HEAVEN. HEAVEN. Every minute was enjoyable, relaxing, and refreshing. Every.minute.

Our room was super close to the beach, so it wasn't some hike to get our stuff onto and off of the beach each day. I pretty much just sat in my beach chair, drank water, and watched Scott and the boys play. It was so relaxing, and just what this pregnant momma needed!

The boys had a total blast! They soaked up each other and got along sooooo well. They jumped in the waves together, swam together, caught jellyfish together, built sandcastles together--did EVERYTHING together! {And did I mention they GOT ALONG!?}

We ate some seriously amazing sea food. We ate at the Salty Dog Cafe, the Old Oyster Factory, the Crazy Crab, and the Skull Creek Boathouse. Yum, yum, yuuuuuum!

We also spent lots of time at the resort's pools. The boys splashed in the water, while I drank virgin strawberry daiquiris and thought about a million times, "Thank God we took this vacation!!!"

This trip was perfect. Just the four of us, enjoying each other and relaxing. Just the four of us before we have a baby and trips become more difficult for a few years. We stayed up late, we ate great food, and we had a wonderful time.

Yep! We are expecting our third son in September! And we are so, so excited!

I am almost twenty-four weeks pregnant, and I am due September 22nd. This guy is measuring as due on September 19th, though. I can't imagine a boy bigger than Jack! Yikes!

While Nathan and Jack were very much planned, this little guy was more of a surprise to his mommy and daddy. I will never forget the look on Scott's face when I told him I was pregnant. PURE shock, followed by PURE joy!

So far, this has definitely been my easiest pregnancy. Thank the Lord! Most afternoons, while Jack is napping, I curl up on the couch and nap for an hour or so. The boys are unbelievably excited to have a little brother. Nathan kisses my belly about ten times a day!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't intimated by the thought of balancing Nathan starting kindergarten, Jack starting at a new preschool, me maintaining my full-time job, and the fact that my sweet hubby is just hardly ever around...with a new baby! I'm a little scared. BUT I trust that the Lord will grow me in new ways, and of course that He has amazing plans for our little Henry. Also, I'm a little intimidated to be entering "baby world" again. I mean, I don't change diapers or get up in the middle of the night. It's been a long time since I've had to do those things!

I can't wait to hold my Henry in my arms and cover him with kisses and tears of joy. Thank You, Jesus, for this precious miracle!

Sunday, May 29, 2016

I can't even believe it, but just like that, preschool is over for this big boy. Onto kindergarten in twelve short weeks!

Oh, let me tell you that there were some tears--big tears--from this momma on Wednesday morning. I walked the boys into school, Nathan holding one hand and Jack holding the other. And I thought, Never again will I walk both of these boys into school holding their hands. CRUSH ME, why dontcha!?

We walked down the familiar stairs, down the hallway, and into his classroom. I walked him to his cubby, and he hung up his backpack.

This boy is onto bigger and better things next year, and I am his biggest cheerleader.

Nathan could not possibly have had a better class and better teachers this year. Every day of school was a joy! Nathan is reading on his own, doing math, and just basically so totally ready for kindergarten and all the adventures therein. Now, if this momma can just get her emotions under control!

Wednesday was Jack's last day of preschool 3, and his very last day at Second Presbyterian. What a bittersweet day! Jack has been at Second Presbyterian Preschool since he was seven months old, and we first moved to Roanoke.

I walked both of the boys to their classes on the last day. I dropped Jack off first. I gave him a kiss, and he ran off to hang up his backpack in his cubby.

Jack has grown so much this year (and not just taller)! He is turning into such a little gentleman, using his manners and being polite...most of the time! He can spell his name, tell you what letters start *lots* of words, and identify several letters of the alphabet. {Our goal this summer is to be able to identify all the letters of the alphabet, and to write his name! We'll see how that goes!}

This year in preschool has been wonderful. Jack had two precious teachers, whom he loved very much. His best friend, Hunter, was in his class. And I really never got any complaints about this sweet boy!

Next school year, he will be starting at a brand new preschool. He has already told me that he's excited to make new friends. I'm so proud of my Jack!

On Friday, the boys' preschool held the annual spring musical. This year, the theme was "Hurray for the USA!" It was so precious! And finally, for the first time in three years, this momma got the FRONT ROW! The key? Get there fifty minutes early. I'm not even kidding!

Jack's class sang two songs. The first song was about the colors and attributes of the American flag. They sang about the thirteen stripes, the fifty stars, and the red white and blue! The second song was about waving the flag, and they all waved little American flags. I definitely teared up, just seeing my baby up there being such a big boy!

Nathan's class did five songs--three singing and two instrumental. They sang about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. My absolute favorite part was the last song, they performed using the hand bells. Talk about a teary-eyed momma! That was so beautiful. I'll never forget it. I cannot believe my sweet Nathan James just has two more days left in preschool, and then it's off to "real school!"

My mom came in town to see the boys' musical, and of course they were over-the-moon thrilled that BeeGee was there!

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Every year, since we've moved here, we have attended the Strawberry Festival. I guess you could say it has become a family tradition!

Nathan and Jack wanted their faces painted. Jack wanted a storm trooper, and Nathan wanted Darth Vadar. That sweet girl was NOT prepared for those requests, but she googled some images and this momma was SO appreciative!

We walked around, grabbed some kettle corn and strawberry smoothies, and relaxed and enjoyed some good music!